Locals in mountains feast on rare storks

Hundreds of rare birds known as the Asian Openbill Stork have migrated to the northern mountainous province of Lai Chau's Muong Te District, according to Viet Nam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE).

LAI CHAU — Hundreds of rare birds known as the Asian Openbill Stork have migrated to the northern mountainous province of Lai Chau's Muong Te District, according to Viet Nam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE).

The 1.2kg-2.2kg grey storks, which are listed in the Viet Nam Red Book, flew over from Laos and Thailand a week ago.

Relevant authorities have requested that people refrain from hunting the birds, but residents continue to shoot dozens of them each day, claiming that the birds trod on their rice. VACNE is calling for people to protect the species at all costs. — VNS